The Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and The National Health Insurance Scheme

Abstract

The Decree establishing the National Health Insurance Scheme was promulgated in 1999; however, actual implementation commenced in 2002 and has remained at a rudimentary stage. This is despite the very laudable reasons for establishing the NHIS, to provide a financial lifeline to health care delivery in Nigeria. As stakeholders in the NHIS, obstetricians/gynaecologists have a very important role to play to ensure its successful implementation and sustenance. This is especially so in view of the unfavorable reproductive health indices in Nigeria, to which poverty is an important contributory factor. In this article, some background information on health insurance and the NHIS deemed relevant to the obstetrician/gynaecologist is given. Subsequently, the role expected of, and the benefits to be derived by the obstetrician/gynaecologist are presented.

[Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 2004; 21:172-176]